Seals spend a lot of time in the water — which makes them nearly ideal vehicles for gathering data on ocean currents and changes in ocean conditions. But doing that requires a little bit of cooperation from the seals.

Last summer in the southern hemisphere, a fishing vessel in the Antarctic Ocean pulled up a rare creature — a 770-pound colossal squid. Only one other such animal had been pulled up intact before, surprisingly, by the same vessel. It is thought that the giant marine beast might be the origin of legends of undersea monsters. Scientists in New Zealand froze it to preserve it and just defrosted and dissected it.

A new study of blue whales in the eastern Pacific has found that the population of the behemoths there has bounced back to near pre-whaling levels. But other populations of blues elsewhere are not doing nearly as well.

For over 40 years, scientists have speculated that life in some form exists deep beneath the surface of glacial ice. Now new research confirms says they're right — and raises questions about how these microorganisms affect the Earth's ecosystem.

Scientists say a massive ice sheet in Antarctica is starting to collapse. It's not going to slide into the ocean over night, but rather over centuries. Still, it will fall, scientists say. It's gotten to the point it can't be stopped — and that means rising sea levels.

Pharrell Williams' feel-good music video for "Happy" inspired fans around the globe to create dance moves to his hit song. Now, he wants to harness that energy to promote the United Nations' International Day of Happiness.

Basketball diplomacy, Dennis Rodman-style, keeps getting stranger. Scientists streak the South Pole and come away with frostbite in tender places. China overtakes Europe in R&D spending. And did you know that Hitchcock made a Holocaust documentary? All that and more, in today's Global Scan.

Scientists say a massive ice sheet in Antarctica is starting to collapse. It's not going to slide into the ocean over night, but rather over centuries. Still, it will fall, scientists say. It's gotten to the point it can't be stopped — and that means rising sea levels.

Those on the Spirit of Mawson Antarctic expedition were relieved and jubilant when they were rescued last week after being stranded on a ship caught in Antarctic pack ice. But some polar scientists were not as jubilant. They question the trip as more a lark than a serious expedition — which diverted several icebreakers from serious scientific work.

Seals spend a lot of time in the water — which makes them nearly ideal vehicles for gathering data on ocean currents and changes in ocean conditions. But doing that requires a little bit of cooperation from the seals.

Name a place -- discovered in 1904 -- where you can find the southernmost working post office (open to tourists) in the world. It was set up by the British as a base during WWII, then operated as a British research station until 1962. Designated Historic Site No. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty, today it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Antarctica.

A new study of blue whales in the eastern Pacific has found that the population of the behemoths there has bounced back to near pre-whaling levels. But other populations of blues elsewhere are not doing nearly as well.

British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is preparing an assault on Antarctica. He'll attempt to be the first person to successfully march across Antarctica on foot in the middle of winter. No person has gone more than 60 miles inland in winter.

Pharrell Williams' feel-good music video for "Happy" inspired fans around the globe to create dance moves to his hit song. Now, he wants to harness that energy to promote the United Nations' International Day of Happiness.

Last summer in the southern hemisphere, a fishing vessel in the Antarctic Ocean pulled up a rare creature — a 770-pound colossal squid. Only one other such animal had been pulled up intact before, surprisingly, by the same vessel. It is thought that the giant marine beast might be the origin of legends of undersea monsters. Scientists in New Zealand froze it to preserve it and just defrosted and dissected it.

Scientists say a massive ice sheet in Antarctica is starting to collapse. It's not going to slide into the ocean over night, but rather over centuries. Still, it will fall, scientists say. It's gotten to the point it can't be stopped — and that means rising sea levels.

A new study of blue whales in the eastern Pacific has found that the population of the behemoths there has bounced back to near pre-whaling levels. But other populations of blues elsewhere are not doing nearly as well.

For over 40 years, scientists have speculated that life in some form exists deep beneath the surface of glacial ice. Now new research confirms says they're right — and raises questions about how these microorganisms affect the Earth's ecosystem.

Seals spend a lot of time in the water — which makes them nearly ideal vehicles for gathering data on ocean currents and changes in ocean conditions. But doing that requires a little bit of cooperation from the seals.

Name a place -- discovered in 1904 -- where you can find the southernmost working post office (open to tourists) in the world. It was set up by the British as a base during WWII, then operated as a British research station until 1962. Designated Historic Site No. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty, today it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Antarctica.